Another massive three points, especially with Chelsea losing away at WBA, and a big result at a ground we have struggled at over the years. Any Arsenal fan not satisfied after today's showing must ask themselves some serious questions about their own mental state. There were many positives, some negatives, and a lot of big talking points, certainly the absolutely pathetic behaviour of several Liverpool players has again shamed this once mighty and classy club, it was as bad as I have seen from any side in recent years.
The first half was generally dominated by Liverpool, but they needed to cheat to get their penalty, Suarez going to ground theatrically (yet again) after the slightest of touches from Szczcesny, justice was done with a great double save. The Liverpool pressure did result in an opener and it was an own goal from the boot of Koscielny, he completely miss-hit his attempted clearance and it gave Szczesny zero chance, apart from that Koscielny was outstanding for the rest of the game.
Liverpool could have extended their lead, Szczesny was forced into one excellent low save from Henderson's side footed shot, while the disgraceful Suarez hit a post with the goal at his mercy. However as the half wore on, Liverpool's threat seemed to gradually die and we came more into the game, this was cemented by RVP's fine headed finish from Sagna's outstanding cross, this header came despite the cynical Carragher doing his best to push RVP over in the box.
Strangely Liverpool just didn't really threaten us as one would have expected in the second half, there was the odd moment, one brilliant Koscielny clearance saved us from a dangerous low cross from the right wing, but other than that they lacked ideas, imagination and quality. We had the best chance of the half with Walcott's low side footed effort being deflected onto Reina's legs, a good save from the Spaniard. Arteta had gone off with concussion, Diaby came on and did well before going off injured, Benayoun came off to be replaced by Gervinho, the Ox replaced Diaby and did well in a deep midfield role.
Then the moment of brilliance, Song took the ball on in the midfield, a solid first touch and then a great chipped through ball for RVP who ran off the shoulder of Carragher, he side footed the ball home with amazing control from a tight angle, Reina's little near post gap was small but RVP found it with such precision, 2-1 right at the end of normal time. There were 8 minutes added on but Liverpool had gone flat, we easily held out and we looked far more likely to score another than Liverpool. 2-1, a cracking away win at Anfield.
There are two things I have not mentioned until the end of this piece and if we had lost today, I would be accused of being a moaning sore loser, but with us winning I can point them out pretty objectively. Firstly the referee was utterly useless, Halsey needs to be retired. He was so one sided with the little decisions, he let Liverpool get away with numerous fouls, some small, some nasty and some cynical with virtually no punishment. Spearing's disgraceful straight legged studs up lunge on Rosicky's shin didn't even merit a free kick, whether it was a yellow or red is open to debate, a red would not have been harsh. Halsey also missed a nasty Kuyt lunge with studs through Arteta, it was right in front of the referee and he did nothing. The failure to book Adam for his cynical second half trip of Rosicky was another good example of his awful decision making.
The behaviour of the Liverpool players as a whole and the Liverpool manager was beneath contempt for the most part. They questioned every single decision, they intimidated the referee and linesmen persistently from the first minute to the very last. The dissent shown was quite breathtaking and it was so persistent it beggared belief, the referee just let it go, let it go and let it go, it was just amazing. The most blatant bit of dissent was when Kuyt aggressively confronted the linesman and swore at him, amazingly Halsey showed his complete bias or lack of balls and did precisely nothing, yet again. Dalglish was constantly swearing and moaning on the touchline. Adam, Kelly, Suarez, Downing and Kuyt were all guilty of the most blatant of dissent and their antics represent the real 'scum' of modern football for me. It was quite disgraceful and an utterly pathetic example for grown men to be setting to the viewing public which includes a lot of kids.
There were a lot of solid shifts put in today, Szczesny and RVP were the stand out performers, the centre backs and full backs were excellent, Song solid, Rosicky good again, Arteta struggled as did Benayoun, Theo did reasonably well. Whatever one thinks we certainly showed a lot of character today to come from a goal down and to win at such a tough away venue. Also spare a thought for the luckless Diaby, such a talented player but his ankle has been buggered by the reckless Neanderthal negligence of others. Well done the lads and Arsene.
46 comments:
Good article now that it has been edited. Well done!
As a neutral I must say congratulations on this balanced and reasonable post.
As a Liverpool fan, I am grateful that you corrected the post.
I agree, Diaby looked good and full of confidence.
No problem, I didn't want to be seen to be stirring and I (despite how it may appear) do have a lot of respect for Liverpool football club and fans.
I just feel certain players shamed your fine club today.
Apologies for the offence if taken, I only meant it metaphorically and can see how this came across.
Cheers.
I agree, Diaby looked good and full of confidence.
Interesting your comments about the ref, I was stuck with BBC 5 live today and according to Robby Savage and Alan Geen the ref had an excellent game. Yes, I know, Savage and Green... I should have known.
You need to be a lot more worried about the state your club will be in the near future by going on this performance rather than trying to focus on other teams 'so called' antics. You were never in the game apart from the two goals mr van scored, who by the way will not be able to pull you out of the proverbial when he departs for a warmer climate.
savage and green!
exactly, two of the most biased morons around!
we weren't in the game were we?
46% of the ball at Anfield
7 shots on target by Arsenal, 4 by Liverpool
certainly Liverpool were better 1st half, we were better in the second half, in which Liverpool created very very little indeed
not in the game?
my derriere ( a bit of French for you)
Why is no one reporting the dive by Suarez?? I defy any liverpool supporter to tell me that was a penalty.
I am a Gooner. To be honest, I didn't like what Suarez did but I must say that I have seen Arsenal players doing the same thing in the past. Not fair to give all the blame to Suarez when it is happening in every league in europe.
@1979 Gooner: Savage I can almost live with, he is just not very clever, Green on the other hand is a really nasty piece of work. He must have something on the BBC bosses otherwise he would have been sacked years ago. Why oh why do I have to pay license fees for horrible punters like him, not to mention that smug lazy git Hansen and Lawrensen who is clearly totally bored with football AAAarghhh!!!
The dive is one thing.
I found the incessant moaning against every single decision, as well as the persistent dissent and intimidation to be the worst aspect of the behaviour.
It was partly down to Halsey's particularly weak refereeing and lack of discipline, he didn't punish anything, so it got worse and worse, and continued.
Another tough game by Arsenal nicked it with a few touched of brilliance. Excellent captain's performance and the defense held firm, if only just.
Liverpool threw everything even the kitchen sink and correctly stated their rough treatment at times resembled cage fighting but the likes of Kenny D will remind us football is a full contact sport.
Arsenal will win nothing this season. Their midfield was totally dominated by a "poor" Liverpool midfield and their defence is a watertight as a colandar
Liverpool were the better team. we were lucky. Very simple to understand. From a true gooner and not a moron who doesn't know a football from a housebrick.
Good win for the gooners today . But make the most of it dudes because when RVP jumps ship in the summer you've had it .
Liverpool created more play and looked dangerous but there finishing was very poor. They have only themselves to blame for the defeat. Arsenal have also lost games that they should of won. That is the wonder of football. Still, a great victory for the arse
anon 2000
Arsenal were not outplayed for large portions of the game.
Sure first half hour or so.
But after that Arsenal came into the game, then created the better chances 2nd half and Liverpool faded into nothing.
I know there are some who love to be negative even when things are going well, but come on!
No one goes to Anfield and wins without a bit of luck!
It's a tough game and you are simply never going to dominate from start to end in this fixture!
Shame Arsenal don't get a trophy for this massive win . Seven years and counting tick tock . Normal service will resume against Milan midweek pmsl .
I don't know which game you were watching, but I didn't see a dirty game, or OTT arguments with the officials. Maybe someone who was actually there saw more than was broad cast.
For an Arsenal fan to question the 'antics' of Liverpool players with the history Arsenal have had is pot/kettle/black. And to question Dalglish being noisy and argumentative when they have Wenger as a manager is laughable. If he hadn't had the fight knocked out of him in the last few years he would have been toe to toe with Dalglish.
It is the modern game that players dive, am I happy about it? No. I thought it was a penalty, and from a couple of the camera angles it still looks like a penalty, so I can't blame the Ref for getting it wrong.
I also thought the Ref had a good game. I was switching between two commentaries and at no point was it insinuated that it was a dirty game, or that the Ref was having a bad game.
Was it also Gibbs who went over when Kuyt never touched him? if I hadn't touched the player and they had got a free kick, then I would have something to say to the officials.
Be thankful you did a smash and grab. Liverpool were by far the best team overall. Totally dominant in the first half, and shading the 2nd. And just like the for the last year, van Persie saved the day for you. We may have relied on Torres, but you would be in real trouble without van Persie.
it was absolutely a penalty!!! watch the slow motion reply, your keeper clearly was late and reckless and clipped suarez who who then won the penalty. how can you say van persie was great today? he touched the ball about 5 times all game, walcott was non-existant, along with benayoun and if liverpool had of had a half decent striker on the pitch the game would have been over after 20 minutes, thats how bad arsenal were today. make no mistake arsenal won by liverpool's lack of fire power and lack of a half decent striker than arsenal's greatness or bottle!! i'm an everton fan i have never seen arsenal so bad!
Liverpool deserved the 3 points and did enough to get the result except find the back of the net.
Only someone with blinders would accuse Liverpool only of diving. Does Gibbs have a trick knee that collapses when someone comes within two feet of touching him.
Credibility is squandered when someone writes with such bias.
Liverpool are a team of diving cheating time wasters this was a great result not just for arsenal but to the epl.
Sorry Liverpool you are not a top 4 team......
'Liverpool deserved the 3 points and did enough to get the result except find the back of the net'. Hilarious, post of the year. Only a Liverpool supporter could come up with this.
Agree
Several of those lfc fan comments are rather amusing.
It is typical tactic to ignore valid criticism by pointing the finger elsewhere without answering any of the points raised.
Where were all those Liverpool shots 2nd half? And after 2-1?
Suarez would be an embarassment to any football club, all aspects of his behaviour are pretty poor.
Sad to see what you try to defend, poor.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool scrambling around for the "honour" of finishing a distance fourth.
Bald men fighting over a comb.
Let us be honest. Both teams were poor. The games should of been a draw. I am still very concerned for the arse. I wasn't convinced by the performance
Suarez is a cheating little cunt, he does it every fucken week. Ive got a lot of respect for the Scousers(very knowledgable supporters) but how anyone can defend a character like Suarez is beyond me. As for game, we stole the points today. We Gooners know exactly how you lot will be feeling, we have to suffer the same feelings of injustice on a regular basis. I had to laugh at the Evertonian at 20.21 when he states ` how you can say that Van Persie had a great game today? he only touched the ball about 5 times. Ha ha, thats exactly why he is so great. 5 touches and he wins you the match. Pure class, I`m not being biased here but I genuinely believe we are talking about one of the top 3 or 4 players in the world here. How long can we hold onto him though? I fear he`ll be away in the summer. I fucken hope I`m wrong about that.
Suarez is an ugly diving wanker
If Arsenal end up in fourth place, whatever they make by getting into CL they need to write the check to RVP. Without him in the line-up they struggle to win10 games. Keep him at any cost!
All the best to Arsenal for the rest of the season, nicked the points but it's all about hitting the net.
I'm sure Wenger and the players are hoping this good run continues. Another embarrassment by Milan and it might be back to their supporters booing them again.
In reply to the Liverpool fans claiming that the replay showed that Suarez didn't dive, I suggest you watch them a few times in slow motion in HD. Both Suarez and Sczeczny move towards the ball that was flicked on by Kuyt, but Suarez gets to the ball first. While Sczeczny goes down with his knees and feet both on the ground, Suarez pushes the ball past Sczeczny, but as Suarez then moves towards the ball, he comes crashing down in a spectacular heap. Now, there is a clear gap between the feet of the two players at all times, so the only contact, if there was any at all, must have come at the point when Sczeczny lifted his knees up with his feet remaining on the ground in order to pivot towards the ball while sitting on the turf. From one replay angle, it seems possible that Suarez's shinpads may have come into contact with Sczeczny's at this point. From another replay angle, there seems to be a gap between the two players shins during this whole sequence. Regardless of whether there was contact or not, most viewers are claiming that Suarez dove because he launched himself dramatically to the ground in a way which was impossible were it solely due to the contact between the shinpads if indeed there had been one. Moreover, after the purported collision, Suarez rolled over clutching his tibia a few inches below his knee and appeared to be screaming in pain. Now, even the most delusional Liverpool fan can't claim he was touched in that particular area of the leg with the force required to cause much, let alone excruciating, pain. And that is why although Suarez is a very good football player, is being accused of cheating. And while this dive ultimately had no bearing on the game's result, what is most worrisome is that dissembling has become an art which is being regularly rewarded (e.g. Gareth Bale last Sunday). Suarez, after all, later rolled around and clutched a similar spot on his tibia after Vermaelen had reached in from behind to poke at the ball at his feet, and Vermaelen was duly booked as a result. It's particularly worrisome that diving is become more sophisticated than the "shot by a sniper" dives practised by Rooney and other home-grown cheaters, which would be hugely comical were it not for the fact that the English media blithely pretend that they don't happen and the referees have no compunction in rewarding them with penalties.
suarez is a peasant. even if he didn't dive this time, he's the kind of guy who would.
Interesting that both Hansen and Shearer (dive apologist extraordinaire) both felt Suarez dived.
Oh dear how many times have sore losers spouted this one, your either a scouse or a spud, why is it always about money, there are certain people who have what's called loyalty so quite frankly grow up and mind your own business
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